What Happened to Dr House Leg? How Did Dr House Hurt His Leg?
by Swetha P
Updated May 31, 2023
Gregory House
Gregory House is the main character in the American medical drama series House. He was created by David Shore and played by Hugh Laurie, an English actor. House is the leader of a team of diagnosticians and serves as the Head of Diagnostic Medicine at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in Princeton, New Jersey.
House's character is often described as a misanthrope, cynic, narcissist, and curmudgeon. In fact, the term "curmudgeon" was named one of the top television words of 2005 in recognition of House's portrayal. Throughout the series, House's unconventional diagnostic methods, radical treatment approaches, and unwavering rationality frequently cause conflicts with his colleagues.
He is also depicted as lacking empathy for his patients, a characteristic that allows him to focus solely on solving complex medical mysteries. The character draws inspiration from Sherlock Holmes, incorporating some of Holmes' traits and mannerisms.
A significant part of the show revolves around House's dependence on Vicodin, a pain medication, to manage the lingering effects of a previous leg infarction that resulted in muscle damage in his quadriceps. As a result of this injury, House walks with a cane. This reliance on medication mirrors one of the many similarities between House and Holmes, as Holmes was also known for his habitual use of cocaine and other substances.
What Happened to Dr House Leg?
Dr. Gregory House, the main character of the medical drama House M.D., has a leg condition that resulted in a permanent limp and his reliance on a cane. The injury occurred five years prior to the beginning of the show and was caused by a leg muscle infarction, which is a blockage in the artery supplying blood to the muscle. Initially, House's leg injury was misdiagnosed, leading to a delay in appropriate treatment.
By the time the correct diagnosis was made, a significant portion of his leg muscle had died. Doctors recommended amputation as the best course of action due to the severity of the damage. However, House made the decision to undergo a risky surgery instead. The surgery successfully bypassed the dead muscle, but it left House with a permanent limp and chronic pain. House's leg injury plays a crucial role in shaping his character throughout the series.
It serves as a constant physical reminder of his mortality and limitations. The pain and disability resulting from the injury also contribute to his struggle with addiction to the pain medication Vicodin. Furthermore, House's leg injury provides him with a unique perspective and empathy towards his patients. Having experienced chronic pain and the challenges of living with a physical disability, House is able to relate to his patients on a deeper level.
Symbolically, House's leg injury represents his own internal struggles and emotional barriers. The infarction symbolizes the blockages he faces in his personal life, while the surgery reflects his ongoing journey of self-discovery and growth. Through his experience with the leg injury, House learns important lessons about compassion, resilience, and the importance of understanding the human condition.
How Did Dr House Hurt His Leg?
Dr. Gregory House sustained his leg injury while playing golf. The specific details surrounding the incident are not explicitly mentioned in the show. However, as a result of the injury, House experienced an infarction in his leg. An infarction occurs when an artery supplying blood to a particular area becomes blocked, leading to tissue damage due to the lack of blood flow.
Initially, House's leg injury was misdiagnosed, resulting in a delay in appropriate treatment. By the time the correct diagnosis was made, a significant portion of his leg muscle had already died. Medical professionals recommended amputation due to the extent of the muscle damage. However, House chose to undergo a risky surgery instead, opting to have the dead muscle bypassed. While the surgery was successful in preserving his leg, House was left with a permanent limp and chronic pain as lasting consequences.
The leg injury served as a significant turning point in House's life. It forced him to confront his mortality and grapple with chronic pain on a daily basis. It also contributed to his journey towards greater empathy and understanding for his patients, as he personally experienced the challenges of living with pain and disability.
Symbolically, House's leg injury represents his own internal struggles and barriers. The infarction serves as a metaphor for the blockages he faces in his personal life and emotional well-being. Through the surgery and the subsequent challenges he endures, House embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery, ultimately leading him to grow as both a doctor and an individual.
What Happened to Dr House in the End?
In the series finale of House M.D., Dr. Gregory House takes a significant and unexpected step in his life. After learning that his best friend, Wilson, is terminally ill with cancer, House decides to fake his own death. This decision allows him to spend the remaining months of Wilson's life by his side without the constraints of his medical career or the consequences of his actions.
House and Wilson embark on a journey together, traveling across the country. They cherish their time together, creating memories and engaging in meaningful experiences. They reconnect with Wilson's loved ones, sharing moments of joy and reflection. Throughout their adventures, House grapples with his own emotions and the impending loss of his dear friend. Ultimately, Wilson's health deteriorates, and he passes away peacefully in House's arms.
The loss deeply affects House, leaving him heartbroken. However, he finds solace in knowing that he was able to provide Wilson with comfort and support during his final days. The series finale of House M.D. delivers a mix of emotions. It is a poignant and somber conclusion, as it explores the themes of mortality, friendship, and the profound impact of loss. The finale reminds viewers that even in the face of adversity and death, the power of love and companionship can bring moments of beauty and meaning to life's journey.
Does House Ever Fix his Leg?
No, House's leg is never fully fixed in the series. Following the infarction and subsequent muscle death in his right leg, House undergoes a surgery to bypass the dead muscle and restore blood flow to the remaining leg tissues. This procedure allows him to retain the use of his leg but leaves him with a permanent limp and chronic pain.
Throughout the show, House tries various treatments and interventions in an attempt to alleviate his pain and find a solution for his leg condition. In one episode titled "The Fix," he even resorts to stealing experimental medicine to regrow his thigh muscle and eliminate the pain. However, he later discovers that the medication causes tumors, and he performs a risky self-surgery in his bathtub based on a CT scan to remove the growing tumors.
Ultimately, he realizes that he cannot complete the surgery and seeks help from his colleague, Cuddy, who sends him to the hospital. Despite his relentless pursuit of a remedy, House is unable to find a permanent fix for his leg. He must learn to live with the constant pain and use it as motivation in his work. The persistent reminder of his physical limitations becomes an integral part of his character, highlighting his mortality and contributing to his complex personality and approach to medical cases.
What Happened to Dr House Leg - FAQs
House's leg injury is caused by an infarction, which is a blockage of an artery that resulted in the death of part of his leg muscle.
No, House's leg was never fully healed or fixed. Despite undergoing surgery to bypass the dead muscle and restore circulation, he was left with a permanent limp and chronic pain.
Yes, House tried various treatments, including experimental drugs and even a self-surgery attempt in one episode. However, none of the treatments provided a permanent solution for his leg pain.
House refused to have his leg amputated and opted for the risky surgery to bypass the dead muscle instead. He was determined to retain the use of his leg, despite the post-operative pain he had to endure.
House's leg injury plays a significant role in shaping his character. It serves as a constant reminder of his mortality and limitations. The pain and disability resulting from the injury contribute to his complex personality and his approach to medical cases.